This summer, Spencer Lazary and I will continue our series with more potential free agent targets that could be on the market on July 1st.
Today, we talk about 10-year vet Yanni Gourde.
Target: Yanni Gourde - C - Age: 33 - 10 Years Experience
After going undrafted, Gourde has churned out a pretty solid NHL career. Signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2014 and spending the first six years of his career with the Bolts, he was claimed in the expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken. On March 5, 2025, he was traded back to the Lightning in a trade deadline deal via the Detroit Red Wings in a three-team trade.
Stats
Gourde played a total of 56 games this past season, scoring seven goals and totaling 31 points. With Seattle having a down year, he could only muster just under a half a point per game. But after going back to Tampa, he had 14 points in 21 games for .66 ppg. For his career, he's averaging 47 points per 82 games played.
Gourde has a ton of playoff experience having won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning. He's played in 88 games, has 20 and 43 points. He also has 7 game-winning playoff goals.
Previous Salary
Gourde signed a 6 year, $31,000,000 contract with a cap hit of $5,166,667 per season in 2018. Contract experts put his next deal at 2 years, with a AAV of $3.8 million per season.
Realistic Chances Of A Signing: Cold
Although having an experienced player like Gourde on a young, growing team, I just can't see him wanting to leave a cup contender. Even if he doesn't re-sign in Tampa, he would most likely go to a team who is in a position to win.
I'm sure Don Waddell would at least check in with him, but I can't see a scenario in which Gourde would want to come to Columbus.
Let us know what you think below.
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